7.1.24 Billable Hour Check In

Monday July 1, 2024--the first business day of the month, so time for my billable hour check in.

If you've been following along, you know that my partner expectation is 2,400 hours all in, meaning: billable time and investment time.

I'm right on track so far this year, even slightly ahead.

Looking ahead through the rest of 2024, I know I'll want to turn off the gas those last two weeks of December, to enjoy the holidays (a time my husband and I typically protect for vacation).

So, for now, I want to take advantage of these longer months and bank hours wherever possible, making my July goal 200 hours all in.

Looking at the month's calendar I see:

🎇 A half-billing day on July 3,

🎇 A zero-billing day on July 4 and 5, and later in the month to travel home for a celebration, plus

🎇 19 full-billing days.

200 hours, divided by 19.5 working days = 10.3 hours on full-billing days and 5.6 hours on half-billing days.

⬆️ On days I bill more, I'll take hours off the next day, the rest of the week, or the rest of the month.

⬇️ On days I bill less, I'll add hours to the next day, over the rest of the week, or the rest of the month.

Summer is the best time to be in Milwaukee, so my hope is to not work most weekends in July--but I can, if needed.

There's also a quick trip home to celebrate someone's big birthday, so I will do everything I can to protect and enjoy that time.

This means: I will need to really focus and take full advantage of those full-billing days. And yet: I have breathing room. I do not need to hit 200 in order to stay on track, which is why this is a flexible and fluid goal (and system).

I'm also going Up North to work remotely for a whole week, which should present a good time to bank extra hours, while also enjoying some peace, quiet, and nature.

Tracking my hours like this helps me know where I stand, helps me know when to ask for more work, helps me feel less guilty about taking advantage of slow times.

It is not a system for everyone and it is not about the (valid) cons of the billable hour.

It is about making this expectation within the career I've signed up for work for me--and show that it can work for you, too.

❤️✌️🔥